Wire-fence machine.



No. 662,662. Patented mw. 27. nsoo. n. P. ANTHoNv.

WERE FENCE MACHINE.

(Application Bled Aug. 14, 1899.)

(lo Modul.)

ws Ncnms Prrzws Co. PHorauTHo., WASHINGTDM. n c.

Patented Nov. 27, |900. D. P. ANTHGNY. WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Application led Aug. 14', 189B.)

(lo Model.)

ma Dams Firms co., wnomumo., wAsHxnnToMb. c..

m 0 7, 2 V.. 0, N d e t n B t a P .Lm .Nw YH.1, NCM 0A. HM@ TEA Ncd e ANm .En PFm z .Em Dan@O wm 7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(llo Model.)

No. 662,662. Patented Nov. 27, |900.

\ n. P. AnTHoNY.

wmE Fence MACHINE.

(Application Bled Aug. 14, 1899.) (llo Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Wgvzesses.'

'fyi Noam: Pneus c q., PNpTo-Lxmo.. wAsnwcJon. n. c.

No. 662,662. Patented Nov. 27, i901).

D. P. ANTHDNY.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

`(Apvplicsxiou led Aug. 14, 1899.)

(llo Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

TN: unnms Pmns co.. PHbToLnuo., wASHwaYoN, n. c4

No. 662,662.` Y Patented Nov. 27, |900.

D. P. ANTHNY.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Application mea Aug. 14, 1899.) No Modal` 7 Sheets-.Sheet 6.

Wilznesses:

MQW@

.Inv enga?? mi Noams Prnzns co.. PHomLlmo., wAsHlNamN. n. c.

No. 662,662. Patented Nov. l27, |900.

' n. P. ANTHoNY.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE. (Application med Aug. 14, 1899.)

(llo Modul.) l 7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

7Min

Nithin DANIEL P. ANTHONY, OF TEUUMSEl-I, MICHIGAN.

WIHEHFENCE `ltflftCi-lliNlE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,662, dated November 27, 1900i.

Application filed August 14, 1899. Serial No. 727,177. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, DANIEL P. ANTHONY, a citizen ot' the United States, and a resident of Tecumselnin the county of Lenawee and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in VVire-Fence Machines, of which the following is a specification.

'Ihis invention relates to a machine for making wire fences which consist, essentially, of a number of longitudinal or main Wires, transverse stay-wires, which cross the main wires at intervals, and tiewires, which connect the main and stay Wires at the crossings of the same.

The objects of this invention are to improve means for feeding the wires, to provide simple and reliable means for fasteningthe wires together, to provide means for crimping the main wires, to improve the construction of the reel upon which the fence is Wound, to provide means for easily removing the roll of fence from the reel, and to improve the machine in other respects.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of seven sheets, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved wire-fence machine on a reduced scale. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the same, on the same scale, in line 2 2, Fig. 16. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section, on the same scale, ol' the reel upon which the finished fence is Wound, showing the saine collapsed. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section in line 4 4, Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, in line 5 5, Fig. 2, showing the position of the movable reel-bearing when the reel is in use. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the position ot' this bearing preparatory to removing the reel therefrom. Fig. 7 is a side elevation ot' my wire-fence machine on a larger scale than Fig. 1 and viewed from the right-hand side. Fig. S is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, in line S 8, Fig. 14. Fig. Slis a cross-section, on an enlarged scale, in line e t), Fig. S. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one ot' the wire-twisting disks. Fig. Il is a side elevation, partly in section, of my wirefence machine viewed from the left side. Fig. l2 a fragmentary section taken lengthwise through the feed mechanism of the staywires. Fig. 13 is a cr0ss-section of the same in line 13 13, Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a fragmentary transverse section of my wire-fence machine in line 14 14, Fig. 16. Fig. l5 is a sec- `tional View of one of the stay-Wire cutters `and its operating mechanism in line l5 l5, Fig. 14. Fig. 1o' is a longitudinal sectional elevation of my fence-machine. Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, ol one of the stationary main-wire grippers. Fig. 18 is a similar View of one pair of movable main-wire grippers. Fig. 19 is a crosssection of the samein line 19 19, Fig. 18. Fig. 2O is a perspective view of a fragmentof the wire fence which is produced by my machine. Fig. 21 is a fragmentary vertical cross-section, on an enlarged scale, in line 2l 21,Fig. l, showing the position of the tying and twisting devices preparatory to connecting the stay-Wire to the main wires. Fig. 22 is a similar view showing the position of the tying devices when the stay-wire is deflected.

Fig. 23 is a similar view showing the position of the same parts after a tie is applied to the stay and main wires. Fig. 24 is a fragmentary vertical section in line 24 24, Fig. 23. Fig. 25 isafragmentaryvertical section,on an enlarged scale, of one ofthe tying devices, the section being taken at an Aoblique angle to the course of the stay and main wires in line 25 25, Figs. 28 and 29, and showing the tying devices retracted and the main wire, slay wire, and tie-wire in place preparatory to connecting the same. Fig. 26 is a similar view showing the position of the parts when the main and stay wires are clamped and the tie is partly formed. Fig. 27 is a similar view showing the position of the parts when the tie is iinished and connects the main and stay wires. Fig. 2S is a bottom or iace view of the upper clamping-jaw and adjacent. parts. Fig. 25) is a top or face View of the lower clalnping'jaw and adjacent parts. Fig. 30 is a horizontal section in line 30 30. Fig. 25. Fig. 31 isa similar section in line 31 31, Fig. 27. Fig. 32 is a perspective view of one ot' the cutting-dies whereby a tie-blank is cut from the wire-stock and bent around the crossing main and stay Wires. Fig. 33is aperspective View of one ofthe curling orclench- IOO ing dies whereby the tie is curled or clenched around the stay-wire on opposite sides of the main wire.

Like letters of reference refer to like, parts in the several figures.

The wire fence which is produced by my fence machine consists, essentially, of a nu mber of longitudinal or main wires A A', transverse or stay wires B, which cross the main wires at right angles, and ties or tie-wires C, which connect the stay or main wires at the crossings of the same. The stay-wires are twisted or coiled with their ends around the outermost main wires A', as shown at b, Figs. l, 2, and 20, and are provided between their ends with downward bands or crimps b', in which the intermediate main wires lie when connected with the stay wire. Each of the ties when completed has the appearance of the figure 8, as represented in Fig. 20, and is formed from a staple. This staple straddles the main and stay wires obliquely at the crossing of the same and bears with its bight or bend against the outer side of the main wire, while its ends are clenched or curled in oppositedirections around the.staywire on opposite sides of the main wire, as represented in Fig. 20. This means of connecting the main and stay wires is fully described in Letters Patent of the United States granted to me February 28, 1899, No. 620,090.

The main frame ofthe machine consists, essentiallypf two side pieces D D and a crosspiece D2, connecting Ythe upper front part of the side pieces. The main wiresA A are supplied in any suitable way and pass forwardly underneath a transverse guide-roller d on the rear part of the frame, thence forwardly through the grippers of the feeding device, thence forward ly through the tying and twisting devices which are arranged on the crosspiece and whereby the cross-stays are connected with main wires, thence forwardly and downwardly around' guide-rollers d', thence rearwardly underneath guide-rollers d2, thence upwardly and rearwardly and around a reel E,upon which the finished fence is wound in a roll. The main-wire-feed mechanism operates at intervals for feeding the main wires forward one space after each stay is fastened thereto, and the reel at the same time is turned in the proper direction for taking up the finished part of the fence.

'front of the guide-roller d and which is mounted with'its ends on longitudinal guidebars E', so as to be capable of a longitudinally-reciprocating movement in the frame.

/The slide is provided on its upper side with aI pair of grippers f f for each of the main wires, the feeding-grippersf being constructed to grasp the wire during the forward movement of the slide, but release the same vduring the backward movement thereof, and the safety-gripper f being constructed to grasp the wire if during the forward movement of the slide the wire is pulled by the reel faster than the forward movement of the slide, but is inoperative during the backward movement of the slide. The grippers are arranged one behind the other on the slide, the feed-gripper being arranged on the rear part of the slide and the safety-gripper on the front part of the slide. The body f2 of the feed-gripper has a horizontal opening f3 for the passage of the wire and a recess f4 arranged in the central part of the body and intersecting the upper part of the wire-passage. f5 is a gripping or clutch roller arranged transversely in said recess and bearing withits lower sideagainst the top of wire in the body, while its upper side bears against the back or top f6 of the recess. The back or top f6 of the recess inclines from its front end toward the rear end, so as to give the recess a rearwardly-contracted form. As the slide moves forwardly the gripping-roller crowds into the narrow rear part of the recess and bears firmly against the wire, whereby the latter is compelled to move with the slide. During the backward movement of the slide the roller moves into the wide front part of the recess land releases the wire, thereby permitting the slide to move backward without the wire. For convenience and cheapness in manufacturing, the recess in the gripper-bodyis preferably extended from one side of the body to the other. ln order to prevent the roller from escaping laterallyfrom said recess, the roller is provided with a peripheral groove]C7 at its middle, which receives the upper part of the wire,wl1ereby the latter serves as a key to prevent lateral displacement of the roller. The roller is yieldingly held in its operative position, so as to grip the wire promptly at the beginning of the forward movement 'of the slide, by a spring f8, bearing with one end against the front side of the roller and with its other end against the adjacent part of the body.

The safety-gripper is constructed substantially the same as the feed-gripper, with the exception that the top fof its recess inclines forwardly and its spring f8 bears against the rear side of its roller, so that the safety-gripper operates reversely to the feed-gripper. During the forward movement of the slide the roller of the safety-gripper is moved by its 'spring into the narrow front part of its recess, and if the reel tends to pull the main wire forward faster than the forward movement of the slide the roller of the safetygripper immediately grasps the saine and prevents the wire from being pulled through the feed-gripper.

g represents releasing or shifting pins, whereby the rollers of the safety-grippers are moved into the wide rear part of the recesses in the safety-grippers, so as to prevent the same from gripping the wiresduring the backward movement of the slide. The releasing- IOO IIO

ceases pin of each safety-gripper slides lengthwise in a horizontal opening g' in the front part of its bodyand bears with its rear end against thefront side of the gripper-roller when in its operative position. The releasing-pins of the several safety-grippers are connected to a shifting or releasing bar g2, which is arranged transversely in front of the slide, as represented in Fig. l. This bar is yieldingly held in its foremost position7 so that its pins are held out of engagement with the rollers of the safety-grippers, by springs g3, surrounding guide-rods g4, which are secured to the slide and bearing with their ends against the bar and a shoulder on the slide. The forward movement of the releasing-bar is limited by stops or shoulders g5, arranged on the guiderods and engaging against the front side of the bar. The backward movement of the releasing-bar with reference to the slide is effected by engaging the bar or a part thereof with any suitable stationary part of the machine. As shown in the drawings, this is effected by two tappets g, arranged on the front side of the releasing-bar and adapted to engage with a cross-plate H, which is secured with its ends to the supporting longitudinal bars F. The tappets engage with the plate H during the last portion of the forward movement of the slide, so that lthe slide is permitted to com plete its forward movement while the releasing-bar is held stationary, thereby causing the releasing-pins to engage the rollers of the safety-grippers and shift the same into the wide rear part of the recesses of the grippers, whereby these grippers are prevented from gripping the main wires. After the releasing-bar has been thus stopped and the safety-grippers have been rendered inoperative the same are held in this position by two catches Q7. These catches are pivoted near the ends of the slide, and each catch is provided at its front end with an inwardlyprojecting beveled hook or shoulder g8 and with a rearwardly-projection tail gi. Each catch is turned and yieldingly held with its hook in the path of the adjacent end of the releasing-bar by a spring gio. As the releasing-bar is held by its tappets engaging with the plate H the catches during their continued forward movement with the slide F engage the ends of the releasing-bar with the beveled side of their hooks and are thereby deflected outwardly, and when the hooks have passed in front of the bar the springs glo turn the catches so that. the shoulders of the hooks engage with the front side of the releasingbar and hold the latter in its rearwardlyshifted position with reference to the slioe and safel y-gri ppers. rlhe safety-gri p pers are heldin thisinoperative position by the catches g7 during the entire backward movement of the slide, and the feeding and safety grippers move along the main wires without disturbing the latter. During the last portion of the backward movement of the slide the tails of the catches engage with the inclined faces of two stationary stops or tappets g, whereby the catches are turned so as to disengage their hooks from the releasing-bar. This permits the releasing-bar and the releasingpins to be moved forward with reference to the safety-grippers by the springs g3 and causes the rollers of these grippers to again assume their operative forward position preparatory to moving forward with the slide during the next working stroke of the latter.

rlhe forward and backward movement of the slide carrying the feeding and safety grippers may be effected in various ways, the mechanism for this purpose shown in the drawings being constructed as follows: I I represent two reciprocating carriages which slide lengthwise in the machine in two ways it', arranged on the inner sides of the side pieces. Each of these carriages is provided on its upper side with a horizontal screw-rod fi', which passes loosely through an opening formed in the adjacent end of the feed-slide F and which is provided in front and in rear of said slide with screw-nuts i2 During the forward movement of the carriages the same move idly until the rear screw-nuts i3 of the screw-rods engage with the rear side of the feed-slide, after which the latter moves forwardly with thecarriages until the end of the forward stroke of the carriages. During the backward movement of the carriages the same move idly until the front screw-nuts 2 of the screw-rods engage with the front side of the feed-slide, after which the latter moves backward with the carriages to the end of the backward stroke of the same. By adjusting the front and rear nuts on the screw-rods the amount of dead or independent movement of the carriages with reference to the feed-slide can be varied so as to vary the extent of the 'feed of the main wires during each forward movement of the carriages. Then the front and rear screw-nuts of the carriages are separated considerably, the dead movement of the same produces a comparatively short stroke of the feed-slide and the main wires are fed forward only a short distance, whereby the cross or stay wires are attached to the main wires at short intervals. If the front and rear screw-nuts i2 'i3 of the carriages are brought closer together, the dead movement of the carriages is reduced and the feed-slide is caused to move with the carriages during a greater portion of the reciprocating movement of the latter, thereby producing a correspondingly longer feed of the main wires and causing the stay-wires to be arranged farther apart on the main wires.

J represents the main drivingshafm which is journaled transversely in the lower part of the side pieces and provided at one end with a driving-pulley J'.

J? is a transverse counter-shaft, which is driven from the main shaft by a pinion j, arranged on the main shaft and meshing with a gear-wheel on the counter-shaft.

J3 is a transverse cam-shaft, which is driven IIO IZO

at each end by a gear-pinionjz, arranged on the adjacent end of the counter-shaft and meshing with a gear-wheeljg, which turns on an arbor j4, and a gear-pinion f, Connected with the gear-wheel js and meshing with a gear-wheel jG on the adjacent end of the camshaft, as shown in Figs. l, 7, 1l, and 14.

The carriages are driven from the calnshaft so that they reciprocate in unison; but

the driving mechanism of each carriage is whereby the main wires are gripped and prevented from being pulled forward by the reel while the feed-slide is moving backward and has no control over the main wires. One of these detent-grippers is provided for each main wire, and the several detent-grippers are mounted on the supporting-plate H. Each of the detent-grippers is constructed substantially the same as the safety-grippers, and consists of a body 71, having a longitudinal passage 71T for a main wire, a recess 712, intersecting said passage and provided with a forwardly-inclined top 713, and a roller 711, arranged in the recess and held yieldingly in the narrow front portion thereof by a spring 715, as represented in Fig. 17. Each detentgripper is also provided with a longitudinallymovable releasing-pin 716, which engages with the front side of the roller for moving the same' into an inoperative position in the wide rear part of the recess and which is connected at its front end to a transverse shifting or releasing bar 717. The latter is yieldingly held in a projected position by springs 71S, which are mounted on rods 719, whereby the releasing-bar 711 is guided on the plate H. The projecting movement of the releasing-bar is limited by 'stops 7110, arranged on the front ends of the guiderods 719. During the forward movement of feed-slide F the releasing-bar of the detent-grippers is moved backward,so that the rollers thereof do not grip the wires, but permit the same to move forwardly, and the bar is held in this position by two catches 7111, which are held with their hooks in engagement with the releasing-bar 717 by springs 7112. During the last part of the forward movement of the feed-slide F two tappets 7113 7113, mounted thereon, engage with the tail of the catches and release the same from the detentreleasing bar, whereby the latter is projected and permits the rollers of the detent-grippers to grip the main wires. The detent-releasing bar remains in this position during the entire backward movement of the feed-slide F. At the end of its backward movement the slide engages with the depending hooks 7114 of longitudinal rods 7115, which are connected with the detent-releasing bar, and draws the same rearwardly sufficiently to enable the catches 7111 to hold the same in position for shifting the rollers of the detentgrippers into an inoperative position preparatory to effecting the next forward feed of the main wires. By this construction and operation of the gripper-s the main wires are held against forward movement by the detent-grippers d uring the backward movement of the feed and safety grippers and the safety grippers prevent an excess forward movement of the wires while the same are being fed forward by the feed-grippers. It will thus be seen that the feed of the main wires by this means is always under the control of the grippers, so that the-wires can at no time be displaced by the forward pull of the reel and produce an irregularity in the spacing of the stay-wires with reference to the main wires, which otherwise would be liable to occur.

Owing to the constant increase in the diameter of the roll of finished fence upon the rcel the latter is driven by a frictional driving mechanism, which is so constructed that the reel tends to rotate as much or slightly more than is necessary for taking up the slack in the nished fence when the reel is empty, and as the diameter of the roll increases while the speed of the driving mechanism remains constant the frictional coupling permits the reel to slip on the driving mechanism, thereby insuring a full take-up of the slack of the fence and avoiding any injury to the same or to the machine.

The frictional driving mechanism for the reel, which is shown in the drawings, is constructed as follows: e represents the horizontal shaft of the reel, which is arranged transversely in the rear part of the frame and journaled with its ends in bearings c e2 ou the side pieces of the main frame. One end of the reel-shaft is provided with the driven member c3 of a pair of cooperating frictionwheels, which comprise the essential parts of a friction clutch or coupling. The driving member e4 of the pair of friction-wheels is mounted loosely on the reel-shaft and is provided on its periphery with a gear-rim e5. The driving friction-wheel e4 is driven from the counter-shaft J2 by a gear-pinion e, secured to the counter-shaft and meshing with a gear-wheel e1, which is journaled on an arbor E', a gear-pinion e8, connected with said gear-wheel e7, and meshing with the gear-rim c5 on the driving friction-wheel, as represented in Figs. l, 4f, and 7.

e9 is a coupling or clutch lever whereby the driving friction-wheel is pressed inwardly against the driven friction-wheel for coupling the same and rotating the reel to wind up the slack in the fence. This lever is pivoted so as to turn horizontally by means of a IOO IIO

convex knuckle G10, formed on the outer side of the lever and engaging wii h a concave socket e, arranged on the outer end of the arbor E, as shown in Fig. 4. The rear arm @12 of the lever is bifurcated and pivotally connected with a presser-collar E2, which is arranged loosely on the reel-shaft and bears against the outer side of the driving friction-wheel. The front arm 613 of the coup ling-lever is bifurcated at its end and adapted to be engaged by a cam e on the right-hand end of the cam-shaft. This cam is so timed that it engages with the front arm of the coupling-lever the instant the feed-slide F begins to .move forward the main wires, thereby causing the lever to be turned inthe proper direction to press the driving frictionwheel against the driven friction-wheel and so tu ru the reel for winding the `fence thereon. The @am e holds the coupling-lever in this position until the feed-slide reaches the end of its forward movement, and then the cam leaves the lever, so as to permit the driving friction-wheel to disengage itself from the driven friction-wheel. The frictional coutact between the two wheels of the frictioual coupling is so adjusted that the drivingwheel slips on the driven wheel afterall the slack in .the fence during the feed operation has been taken up.

After each intermittent forward movement of the main wires a slay-wire B is fed across the under side of the main wires. This wire is fed from the left-hand side of the machine through a transverse guide m in the adjacent side piece of the frame and then passes through the cutting and guiding devices and is presented to the tying and twisting devices, which are arranged 011 the front side of the cross-piece of the frame.

The mechanism whereby the stay-wires are fed is constructed as follows: M, Figs. l, l2, and 13, represents a transversely-reeiprocating gripper which is constructed substantially the same as the main-wire-feeding grippersfand provided in its body with a horizontal opening for the passage of the staywire and a spring-pressed roller fm', which is arranged .in a rearwardly-contracted recess m2 in the gripper-body and bearing against the slay-wire. During the forward movement of the feed-gripper M the stay-wire is fed forwardly and presented to the guiding, cutting,

twisting, and tying devices, and during the backward movement ofthe gripper M its roller is released from the stay-wire to permit the gripper to move backwardly without the wire for taking a new hold preparatory to feeding` the stay-wire forward another length.Y

mi represents a reciprocating chain or feedbelt arranged transversely on the left-hand side of the machine and passing with its lreceiving and delivery portions around receiving and delivery sprocket-wheels m4 m5, as represented in Figs. l2 and 14. rlhe upper part of the feed-belt is parallel with and slightly below the guide m and passes through a lmrizontal guide-trough m, which is secured to the adjacent stationary part of the frame.

m represen is a horizontal guide or su pporting plate which is secured to the upper part of the feed-belt and which is provided at its front and rear ends with upright lugs m8 m9. 'lhe feed-gripper M for the stay-wire rests on this supporting-plate and is adapted to engage with its ends against horizontal adjusting-screws m10 mu, arranged in the lugs m8 m9. The adjusting-screws m10 m11 permit of producing a loose connection between the gripper M and the feed-belt for the pu rpose of adjusting the amount of feed of this gripper while retaining an invariable motion of the belt. By separating the adj usting-screws m10 m11 considerably the feed-belt during its forward stroke moves idly until the rear screw m11 engages with the gripper M, after which the latter moves forward with the belt to the end of its forward stroke. During the subsequent backward movement of the feed-belt the same moves idly, while the gripper M stands still until the front adjusting-screw m10 engages with the gripper, after which the latter moves backwardly with the feed-belt to the end of its backward stroke.

The feed-belt and its gripper may be reciprocated in any suitable way, the mechanism shown in the drawings for this purpose consist-ing of a rock-shaft mia, arranged lengthwise on the outer side of the left-hand side piece and carrying the delivery sprocketwheel m5 at its front end, and a short transverse shaft mi?, which is con nected at its outer end with therear end of the rock-shaft 7172,12 by intermeshing miter gear-wheels m14 and which is provided at its inner end with a gearpinion m15, meshing with the gear-wheel 7t5, as shown in Figs. 12 and 16. The relative movement of the feed mechanism ofthe main wires and that of the stay-wire is suoli. that when the main wires are being fed forward the feed-gripper of the stay-wire is moved backwardly, and when the feetil-grippers of the main wires are moving backwardly the stay-wireis fed forwardly by its feed-gripper.

M, Figs. l and l2, represent-s a stationary detent-gripper whereby the stay-wire is prevented from moving backwardly with the feed-gripper M. This detent-gripper is secured to the delivery end of the guide-trough mi" and is Constructed substantially the same as the feed-gripper M, the only difference loeing that the latter is movable, while the detent-gripper is stationary. Before passing to the feed-gripper M the stay-wire is preferably passed through a straightening device M2, as shown in Fig. l, consisting of a set of rollers arranged in a well-known manner for this purpose.

After the stay-wire has been fed forward and the proper length has been presented to the tying and twisting devices it is eut off or trimmed at its trailing end from the stock of stay-wire, and it is also cut oi at. its advancing end, so as to obtain an exact length of TOO the stay-wire preparatory to connecting the same with the main wires. These cutters are arranged adjacent to the outer side of the twisting devices and are similar in construction, so that the following description of one cutter applies to both.

N N represent the stationary and movable cutters whereby the stay-wire is cut. The stationary cutter N is of tubular form, so that the wire can pass through the same, and it is supported on a bracket n, which is arranged on the adjacent part of the front side of the cross-piece of the main frame. The movable cutter N slides vertically in ways n on the bracket and is raised and lowered by a connecting-rod a2, which is connected at its upper end with the movable cut-ter and at its lower end to a crank n3. Thelatter projects forwardly from a rock-shaft O, which is journaled transversely in the lower part of the frame and which is operated by means of two like cams o o', arranged near opposite ends of the cam-shaft J3 and engaging with two like rock-arms 02 02, arranged near opposite ends of the rock-shaft O, as represented in Figs. 14 and 16. The cams 0 o' are so timed that while the stay-wire is being fed forward the movable cutters are retracted below the opening in the stationary cutters, and after the stay-wire has been fed forward the proper length the movable cutters are raised, whereby the rear cutters cut the trailing end of the stay-wire from the stock-wire and the front cutter trims off the surplus form the advancing end of the stay-wire. If desired, the front cutter may be dispensed with, in which case the feed of the stay-wire must be nicely adjusted so as to feed the stay-wire an exactdistance each time in order thatI the staywire will not interfere with the proper working of the adjacent twisting devices; butit is desirable to employ the front cutter, because it avoids the necessity of keeping the stay-wirefeed mechanism adjusted accurately. After the stay-wire has been severed the same is tied to each of the intermediate main wires where it crosses the same.

The tying devices at the several crossings of the stay and main wires are the same in construction, and the following description of one tying device applies to all of them.

P P', Figs. 16, 2l to 23 and 25 to 31, represent a pair of upper and lower clampingjaws which grasp the stay-wire and the adjacent main wire which crosses the same. The upper jaw P is stationary and secured to a bracket j), projecting forwardly from the cross-piece of the main frame. The lower jaw P' is vertically movable toward and from theupper jaw and is secured to the upper end of a hollow plungerp, which is guided in a bracket 192, arranged on the adjacent part of the cross-piece of the main frame. The faces of the clamping-jaws are provided with semicircular grooves 233194, which are arranged at right angles to each other and which receive the crossing main and stay at its front end with a socket p7, which receives a knuckle at the lower end of the plunger p. The lower jaw is lowered into its open or inoperative position by its weight and that of the plunger and rock-arm connected therewith, and this jaw is raised into its closed or operative position by a rocking ram p8, secured to the rock-shaft O andengaging with the rock-arm p5, as shown in Figs. 14 and 16. While the crossed main and stay wires are grasped by the clamping-jaws, a wire-tie C is applied to the same for fastening them together.

q represents an elongated vertical recess arranged centrally in the upper clampingjaw and extending from the lower side to the upper side thereof. This recess is arranged obliquely over the junction of the crossed main and stay wires and is provided on its front side with a stationary cutter q and on its rear side with an abutment orstop-wall q2. 'lhe wire-stock Q, from which the tie is made, is fed through a horizontal opening (13 in the cutter and across the recess q until it abuts against the opposite wall q2. g4 is a bifurcated upper die which moves vertically in the recess q and which cuts the blank for the tie from the `wire-stock Q and then assists in forming the tie around the crossed main and stay wires. This upper die is secured to the lower end of a rod Q', which slides vertically in the upper bracket p. While in its uppermost position the upper die is above the openin'g g3 in the cutter and while in this position the wire-stock Q is fed across the recess q, as represented in Fig.'25. The upper die now descends and its cutting edge g5 severs the tie-blank from the wire-stock, and then the lower ends of the prongs QG Q7 of the upper die engage with the blank and carry the saine downwardly in the recess q. The blank while being carried downwardly by the upper die remains in a horizontal position until the blank bears obliquely against the top of the crossed main and stay Wires, after which the prongs of the upper die during the continued downward movement thereof bend the ends of the blank downwardly on opposite sides of the crossed main and stay wires in the form of a staple, as represented in Fig. 26.

rllhe cutting edges of the stationary cutter q and of the upper die are beveled, as shown at qs Q9, Figs. 28, 30, 3l, and 32, so as to cut the blank obliquely from the wirestock, thereby producing pointed ends on the blank. The stop-wall q2 is correspondingly beveled IOO IIO

IZO

to iit the beveled advancing end of the wirestock and permit the same-to be fed fully inio the recess. The adjacent prong Q7 of the u pper die is beveled to fit the bevel of the stopwall, thereby permitting the upper die to be reversed and so as to utilize the prong ql as the cutter when the other prong q becomes worn. The upper end qw of the recess qu between the prongs of the upper die is rounded to fit the bend of the blank, and the corners Q12 at the junction of sides Q13 of the recess and the lower ends of the prongs are rounded, so that the bending of the blank into staple form is gradual and easy. The lower ends of the prongs of the upper die and the top and sides of the recess between them are preferably grooved, as shown at q', Figs. 2S, 3l, and 32, so as to hold the tie-blank in engagement therewith.

r represents a circular recess formed axially with the lower clamping-jaw, and '7" r2 are oblique slot-s extending laterally from the circular recess. As the ends of the blank are bent downwardly by the prongs 0i' the upper die these ends move downwardly through the slots 7" r? and inwardly into the central recess r in the lower clamping-jaw, and the prongs of the upper die enter the slots r' r2 and till the same, whereby the prongs, together with the lower clamping-jaw, form a complete circular recess in which the stapleshaped tie-blank is confined.

S isa lower vertical movable die whereby the legs of the staple-shaped tie-blank are clenched or curled around the stay-wire on opposite sides of the main wire and which is secured to a rod S', which slides in the upper portion of the hollow plunger, as shown in Figs. 2l to 23 and 25 to 27. This lower die is cylindrical in form and arranged in the circular recess of the lower clam ping-jaw,and the upper end of this die is provided with a central deep depression s, which is adapted io bear against the under side of the crimp b, two shallow depressions s' s, which are arranged on opposite sides of the central. depression and which are adapted to bear against the under side of the main wire on opposite sides of the crimp ZJ', and two curved curling or clenching depressions s2 s2, which are arranged on opposite sides of the central depression aud at right angles to the shallow depressions s s and which are adapted to engage with the ends of the staple-shaped tieblank and curl or cleuch the same around the stay-wire on opposite sides of the main wire. Thile the clamping-jaws are closing on the main and stay wires and the tie-blank is severed from the stock and bent downwardly over the crossing wires by the upper die the lowerdie is in its lowermost position, as shown iu Fig. 2U. The lower die is then raised, and one of its curling depressions engages at one end with one ol' the 'depending ends of the tie-blank and bends or curls the same upwardly in one direction around the adjacent part of the stay-wire on one side of the main Wire, and the other curling depression of' the lower die engages at a point diametrinally opposite to the other curling depression with the other depending eud ofthe tie-blankand curls the same upwardly and around the stay-wire on the opposite side of the main wire and in a direction opposite to that in which the firstmentioned tie end is curled, as represented in Figs. 20, 23, 27, and After the tie has been applied tothe crossed main and stay wires the lowerclamping-jaw and die are lowered and the upper die is raised into the p0- sition shown in Fig. 25 to permit the wires to be fed forward preparatory to tying the next staywire to the main wire.

The upper and lower dies may be operated by any suitable mechanism, that shown in the drawings for this purpose being constr ucted as follows: s3 is a rock-shaft arranged above the cross-piece D2 of the main frame Y and provided wilh a number of forwardlyprojectingr rock-arms s4, one of which is con` nected with the slide-rod Q' of each upperdie by a connecting-rod 55. 'lhe rock-shaft is operated at opposite ends by a pair of like rockarms s6, which are pivoted at their front ends to the inner sides of the side pieces D2 and which are connected at their rear ends by connecting-rods S7 sT with rock-arms es 58, projecting rearwardly from the rock-shaft s3, as represented iu Figs. l, 7, 11, 14, and 16. The rock-arms s are raised and lowered by a pair of like rocking cams si s, secured to the rockshaft 0, as represented in Figs. 14 and 16.

S10 represents a number of cranks which project forwardly from the rock-shaft O, and one of which is connected with each of the lower sliderods S for operating the lower die, as shown in Figs. le and 1b'. It will thus be seen that the upper and lower dies, the lower clam pi ng-jaw, and the cutters are all operated from the rock-shaft O.

The wire-stock@ for the tie-wires is fed by horizontally-reciprocating grippers T, one of which is arranged obliquely in front of each upper clamping-jaw. rlhis gripper is constructed substantially the same as the feedgrippers for feeding the main wires and is mounted on a horizontal guide-bart. W'hen the upper die q" is raised, the gripper T moves forwardly or toward the upper clamping-jaw and feeds the wire-stock forward one space, and as the upper die descends the gripper T moves backwardly for obtaining a new grip upon the wire. The gripper is moved back and forth at the proper time by au upright rock-lever t, pivoted to the upper bracket p and connected loosely with its lower arm to the gripper 'l and provided in its upper arm with a cam-sloi 252, which is engaged by a projection [f3 on the upper slide-rod Q', whereby the gripper 'l is moved back and forth during the downward and upward movement of the upper die. 'lhe wire-stock Q prevented from moving` backward with the tie-feed gripper 'F by a dctent-gripper T', which is mounted on the front end of the guide-bart'and which IOO IIO

is constructed the same as the detent-gripper of the stay-wire-feed mechanism.

Afterthe tie-wires have been applied to the stay and intermediate main wires the ends of the stay-wire are twistedor coiled around the outer main wires A by two twisting devices, which are arranged adjacent to the ends of the stay-wire and each of which is constructed as follows: Uv represents a twistingdisk arranged in front of the cross-piece D2 of the main frame adjacent to the inner side of one of the cutters and provided on its rear side with a front hollow shaft-section u, which telescopes rearwardly into a rearhollow shaftsection tt'. The adjacent outer main wire A' passes forwardly through the center of the rear and front shaft-sections and the twisting-disk. The latter is provided on its front side with a tangential groove u2, which is arranged horizontally in line with the opening in the adjacent stay-cutter and below the main wire in the disk when the disk is at rest, as represented in Figs. 8, 2l, and 23.

lVv'hile in this position the stay-wire is fed forward and passes through the groove u2 of the lefthand twisting-disk, thence between the several guiding and tying devices, and thence through the groove to2 of the right-hand twisting-disk and the opening of the right-hand stay-cutter. After the ties have been applied to the intermediate main wires and the stay-wire and the latter has been cut off the twisting-disk is turned a number of times in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 23, whereby the disk winds the projecting end around the outer main wire A', as shown at b, Fig. 20, and then the disk stops with its tangential groove in the proper position to receive the next stay-wire. The end of the stay-Wire is directed into the groove of the disk and confined therein at the beginning of the twisting operation by a guide-'plate u2, secured to the cross-piece and bearing against the front side of the disk. The rear shaft-section is journaled'in a bearing 'w1 on the cross-piece D2, but is held against lengthwise movement therein by collars @t5 u, arranged at the front and rear ends of the rear shaft-section and bearing, respectively, against the front side of the cross-piece D2 and the rear end of the bearing a4. The front shaft-section is con- `nejcted by a spline a7 with the rear shaft-section, so as to be able to'slide lengthwise in the rear section, but be compelled to turn therewith. The front shaft-section is yieldingly held in its foremost position by a spring u8,

4interposed between shoulders on the front and rear shaft-sections, as shown in Fig. 8. As the end of the stay-wire is wound upon the outer main wire the twisting-disk recedes in the same measure as the coils of the staywire advance on the main wire, this axial movement of the disk being permitted by the yielding connection of the same with the rear shaft-section.

ug is a gear-wheel which is mounted loosely on the rear section of the twister-shaft bel and 16.l

tween two shoulders on the bearing a4 and which meshes with a vertically-reciprocating gear-rack Ul.

um is a pawl which is mounted in a recess extending inwardly from the bore of the gearwheel and held by a spring it yieldingly in engagement with a tooth or shoulder m12 on the periphery of the rear shaft-section, as shown in Figs. 8 and Upon raising the gear-rack it turns the gear-wheel u2 in the direction of the arrow, and its pawl engages with the shoulder of the rear shaft-section and turns the same, together with the twisting-disk, in the proper direction for twisting the end of the stay-wire around the outer main wire. As the gear-rack moves downward the same turns the gear-wheel backward, during which movementot the wheel its pawl moves backward idly without turning the shaft-sections and twisting-disk. When the gearwheel reaches the end of its backward movement, its pawl stands slightly in rear of the shoulder of the rear shaft-section, so as to be in a position to engage the same and turn the twisting-disk during the next upward movement of the gear-rack.

'w12 is a spring detent-pawl which is secured to the cross-piece D2 and is adapted to engage with a recess M14 in the periphery of the front collar a5 of the rear shaft-section at the end of each forward turning movement and so holdthe twisting-disk against backward movement with the driving mechanism.

U2 is a gear-rack which is connected with the rear side of the gear-rack U and arranged at right angles thereto, these gear-racks being preferably formed in one piece and guided in loops U3 on the rear side of the cross-piece D2.

M15 is a transverse rock-shaft which is provided with two gear-wheels uw ttl, one of which meshes with the rear gear-rack U2 of each twisting device, as represented in Figs. This shaft is operated from the rock-shaft O'by a gear-segment "w17, pivoted on the adjacent side piece of the frame and meshing with a gear-pinion w18 on the adjacent end of the rock-shaft M15 and a rock-arm uw, mounted on the rock-shaft O and connected by a rodftt20with the gear-segment u1?. After the ends of the stay-wire have been twisted around the outer main wires the main wires, with the stay attached thereto, are moved forward one space preparatory to attaching the next stay-wire to the main wires. The guide-plate us of each twisting device is provided with a notch or recess w21 adjacent to the axial opening and tangential groove of the twisting-disk, as shown in Figs. S and 14, which permits the twist on the stay-wire.to pass through the guide-plate when feeding the wires forward.

As the stay-wire is fed forward across the main wires it is guided so as to be properly presented to the several -tying devices and to the trim ming-cutter, and it is also held in position so as to supply the stock for produc ing the crimps b in the stay-wire by the fol- IOO IIO

lowing mechanism i V V represent upper and lower guide-jaws, a pairI of which is arranged between every two tying devices and between each outer tying device and the adjacent twisting device, as represented in Figs. l, 14, and 21 to 24. The opposing faces of each pair of' guide-jaws are provided with longitudinal grooves fu n, which together form a passage for the wire, and the front ends of these grooves are dared, so as to facilitate the entrance of the wire into the same. The guide-passages of the several guide-jaws are all horizontally in line with each other and with the tangential grooves in the twistingdisks and with the spaces between the upper and lower clamping-jaws of the tying devices when the latter are retracted. The upper jaw of each pair of guide-jaws is capable of vertical movement and is guided by means of a guide-rod n2, projecting npwardly therefrom into socket c3, formed in a bracket fc4 on the cross-piece D of the main frame. The upper guide-jaw is yieldingly held in a depressed position by a spring c5, bearing with its ends against the upper end of the guide-rod and screw-plug t, which closes the upper end of the socket c3, as shown in Figs. 2l to 24. The downward movement of the upper guide-jaw is limited by a shoulder v7, which is arranged on the bracket trl, as shown in Fig'. 24, and which is engaged by the upper guide-jaw when the latter is in its lowermost position. The lower guide-jaw V is pivoted at its rear end to the lower end of the bracket c4, so as to swing vertically, and this jaw is yieldingly held in an elevated position in engagement with the upper guide-jaw by a springt/smearing against the under side of the lower guide-jaw.

Vhen the clamping-jaws of the tying devices are separated and the guide -jaws are in their lowest position, the stay-wire is fed forward by its feed mechanism and passes from the right-hand cutter through the slot of the adjacent twisting-disk and thence successively' through the several pairs of guidejaws and between the several pairs of clamping-jaws, as represented in Fig. 2l, and thence through the slot of the right-hand twisting-disk to the right-hand cutter. During the first part ofthe upward movement of the several lower clampingjaws the staywire is cut off by the cutters and is deflected upwardly by each lower jaw between the guide jaws on opposite sides thereof, as shown in Fig. 22. The rear end of the groove in each upper guide-jaw is curved upwardly, as shown at v9, Figs. 2l to 23, to permit of this deflection in the stay-wire. The springs of the upper guidejaws are sufficiently stiff to prevent the same from being raised while the stay-wires are thus deflected between the guide-jaws, thereby causing the stay-wire to draw lengthwise from both ends thereof to furnish the necessary stock for the dede@- tions in the stay-wire. During the last part of the upward or closing movement of each lower clamping-jaw-the stay-wire is pressed upwardly on opposite sides of each intermediate main wire, whereby the downward crimp b/ is formed on the stay-wire around the lower side of the intermediate main wire, as represented in Fig. 23. While forming the criinps in l he stay-wire the latter is drawn taut throughout its entire length, and the depressed portions of the stay-wire which extended from one clam pingdevice to another are lifted, together with the upper guide-jaws resting thereon, as represented in Fig'. 23, the springs of the latter permitting of this movement. By thus holding the stay-wire in a depressed position between adjacent tying devices during the first part ot' the upward movement of the lower clamping sufficient upward deflection of the stay-wire is produced at each tying mechanism to furnish the necessary stock from which to form the crimp at each crossing, thereby avoiding stretching of the stay-wire and the consequent weakening of the same. During the upward movement of the upper guide-jaw the lower guide -jaw is moved up with the same by the spring After the tying devices retract from the stay and intermediate main wires and the twisting devices have twisted the ends of the staywire around the outer main wires the main wires are moved forwardly, together with the stay-wire, and in so doing the stay-wire defiects the lower guide-jaws downwardly and escapes therefrom. The lower guide-jaw is again moved upwardly by its spring against the upper guideljaw after the stay-wire escapes. Aftertheguide-jawsarereleased from the stay-wire the jaws are depressed into their lower position, the upper spring being stronger than the lower spring yu8 and overcoming the latter.

The completed portion of the fenceis moved step by step from the stay-fastening devices forwardly, downwardly, and rearwardlyand is then presented to a crimping mechanism, which crimps each main wire between the stay-wires, so as to permit the fence to contract and expand freely. This crimping mechanism is shown in Figs. 2, 14, and lb and is constructed as follows: W is a horizontal supporting-plate secured transversely to the side pieces of the frame between the lower guide-rollers cl2 and provided with a slot tu, which extends transversely of the machine.

fw represents a number of stationaryr crimping-jaws, which are secured to the top of the supporting-plate on one side of the path of the main wires.

wz represents a number of movable crimping-jaws, which are arranged on the supporting-plate on the opposite side of the path of the main wires and having a transverse movement toward and upon the stationary crimping-jaws. The opposing faces of each pair of crimping-jaws are corrugated, so that one fits into the other, whereby each main wire upon being pressed between the crimping-jaws is IOO IIO

crimped, as shown in Fig. 2. The movable crimping-jaws are connected so as to move back and forth together by a rod w3, which is arranged in the slot w below the main wires. The forward or closing movement of the mov- Vable crimping-jaws is produced by an upright rock-lever wl, which has its lower arm connected by a link w with the rod w3, while its upper arm is engaged on one side by a cam wion the cam-shaft J3. The opening or backward movement of the movable crim ping-jaws is eifected by a cam 107, Fig. 14, which engages with the opposite side of the upper arm of the rock-lever 1,04. The cri in ping-jaws are projected with their upper sides above a straight lineextendingfromthelowersideofoneguideroller cl2 to the lower side of the other guideroller cl2, and each crimping-jaw is provided with a beveled or rounded front end w8, as shown in Fig. 16. While the crimping-jaws are open the fence is advanced one space, during which movement the stay-wire immediately in front of the jaws rides up the rounded or inclined front ends of the jaws to the top thereof and then drops off the abrupt rear ends of the jaws, whereby those portions of the main wires in rear of this stay-wire are caused to lie between the movable and stationarycrimping-jawsofeachpair. Thejaws are then closed, whereby those portions of the -main wires lying between the same are crimped, and then the jaws are opened preparatory to advancing the fence another step and crimping the next section of the main wires.

After the main wires have been crimped the completed fence is wound or rolled on the reel.

For the purpose of permitting the roll of finished wire fence to be easily removed from the reel the latter is made collapsible, and one of its end supports is made removable, as follows: a: represents a number of reel plates or bars which are arranged lengthwise of the reel-shaft e and which are pivotally connected at their middle and n'ear their ends by radial links x' with collars 002 on the reel-shaft. Upon turning these links so. that they project at right angles from the reel-shaft the reel-plates are spread apart and the reel is expanded to its fullest extent, as represented in Fig. 2, in which position the wire fence is wound upon the same. Upon turning the links into an oblique position, as shown in Fig. 3, the reel-plates are moved toward the reel-shaft and the reel is contracted, in which position the roll of wire fence can be easily removed from the same. The links are turned for expanding or contracting the reel by a shifting collar Q03, sliding lengthwise on the reel-shaft and connected with the outer ends of a pair of links by con necting-rods 004, a hand-lever 005, pivoted to the frame adjacent to the reel-shaft bearing e', and a connecting-rod 006, connected at one end with said lever and at its opposite end with said shifting collar m3. The outward movement of the links is arrested when the reel is expanded to its fullest extent by the heels x7 of the links, which bear against the adjacent part of the pivot-supports when the reel is in this position.

Q08 represents a number of fastening pins or hooks whereby the advancing ends of the main wires are fastened to the reel for the purpose of causing the fence to wind upon the reel. These pins are arranged in a row lengthwise of the reel and are secured with their inner ends to a longitudinal bar .009, which is arranged along the inner side of one of the reel-plates, while their outer ends project through openings in the adjacent reelplate, as shown in Figs. 2, 8, and 16.

The pin-supporting bar m9 is pivoted to cranks 0610, which are formed on the outer ends of the adjacent links x. When the reel is expanded by the straightening of its links, the cranks shift the supporting-bar m9 so that its pins project outwardly through the adjacent reel-plate, as represented in Figs. 2 and 16. In this position of the reel the advancing ends of the main wires are attached to the fastening-pins, which is done by forming loops r11 on the ends of the wires and slipping them over the pins, as shown in Fig. 16. Upon turning the reel in the direction of the arrow when the main wires are thus fastened on the reel the fence is wound upon the reel. When the desired length of fence has been wound on the` reel7 the latter is collapsed by moving links and plates inwardly, and during this inward movement of the links the cranks x10 move the supportingbar inwardly faster than the adjacent reel-plate, whereby the fasteningpins are drawn inwardly beyond the outer surface of this reelplate, as represented in Fig. 3, thereby releasing the loops of the main wires from the pins and permitting the removal of the roll of fence from the reel.

For the purpose of permitting the roll of fence to be removed from the reel without taking the reel out of the machine and disconnecting the same from its driving mechanism the right-hand bearing c of the reelshaft, which is adjacent to the driving mechanism, is stationary, while the left-hand bearing e2 of the reel-shaft is made movable, as follows: Y represents a movable frame-section or supporting-foot which is pivoted at its front end to the rear end of the left-hand side piece of the main frame by a vertical pivot y. The movable frame-section is provided on its upper side with a transverse bearing y, in which a short shaft y2 is journaled. This shaft carries at its inner end the lefthand bearing e2 of the reel-shaft. The bearing 62 is cut out or recessed on one side, as shown at g3, Figs. l, and 6. When the reel is in use, the bearing 62 is turned so that the notchjg3 faces upwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby the reel-shaft is prevented from being displaced by the lateral or forward pull which is exerted on the reel-shaft while wind- IOO IIO

ing the fence upon same. When it is desired to remove the roll of fence from the reel, the bearing eZ is turned so that its recess @/3 faces upwardly, as shown in Fig. 6. In this position of the bearing e2 the same can be freely moved outwardly, together with the movable frame-section, into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, which permits the roll of fence to be withdrawn lengthwise from the reel. The turning of the movable bearing e2 is effected by a hand-lever yf, which is connected to the outer end of the short shaft y2, carrying the bearing e2.

Assuming that the fastening devices have just completed the operation of fastening a stay-wire across the main wires, the operation, brieiiy stated, of my fence-machine is as follows: The main-wire-feed grippers move fot'- ward and carry the main wires forward one space, during which time the stay-wire-feed gripper moves backward. The main-wirefeed grippers now move backwardly and the stay-wire-feed gripper moves forward and carries a length of stay-wire across the main wires. The cutters now cut off the stay-wire, and immediately thereafter the clampingjaws close upon the intermediate main and stay wires and the tie-wires are applied to the same. As the tying devices recede from the main and stay wires the twisting devices twist the ends of the stay-wire around the outer main wires. While a stay-wire is being fastened to the main wires the crimping devices are operating upon a preceding section of the main wires and crimping the same. During the forward movement of the main wires the reel is coupled with the driving mechanism and the fence is wound upon the reel in the same measure as the main wires are fed forward by the main-wire-feed grippers.

I claim as my invention l. A wire-gripper comprising a body having a longitudinal opening for the passage of the wire, a recess which intersects said opening and which has an inclined back, and a roller arranged transversely in the recess and adapted to bear with one side against the"`in clined back thereof and with its opposite side against the wire in said opening,substantially as set forth.

2. A wire-gripper comprising a body having a longitudinal opening for the passage of the wire, a recess which intersects said openving and which has an inclined back, a roller arranged transversely in said recess and adapted to bear with one side against the back thereof and with its opposite side against the wire in said opening, and a spring which holds the roller yieldingly in the narrow part of said recess, substantially as set forth.

A wire-gripper comprising a body having a longitudinal opening for the passage of the wire, a recess which intersects said opening and which has an inclined back, a roller arranged transversely in said recess and adapted to bear with one side against the back thereof and with the opposite side against the fit1 wire in said opening, and a shifting device whereby the roller is shifted into the wide part of said recess, substantiallyas set forth.

4. A wire-gripper comprising a body having a longitudinal opening for the passage of the wire, a recess which intersects said opening and which has an inclined back, a roller arranged transversely in said recess and vadapted to bear with one side against the back thereof and with its opposite side against the wire in said opening, a spring whereby the roller is yieldingly held in the narrow part of said recess, and a movable shifting-pin which is guided in the body and wherebythe roller may be shifted into the wide part of said recess, substantially as set forth.

5. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse staywires are fastened to the longitudinal main wires, and the reel upon which the fence is wound, of longitudinallymovable feed-grippers which grasp the main wires during their forward movement and feed t-he'same forward and which release the main wires during their backward movement, and safety-gritmers which move with the feedgrippers and which are constructed to grasp the main wires if the reel tends to pull the same forwardthrough the feed-grippers during the. forward movement of the latter and to release the main wires while moving backwardly with the feed-grippers, substantially as set forth.

6. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse stay-wires are secured to the longitudinal main wires, and the reel upon which the fence is wound, of longitudinallymovable fecd-grippers which grasp the main wires during their forward movement and feed the same forward and which release the main wires during their backward movement, and detent-grippers which are constructed to release the main wires while the same are being moved forward by the feed-grippers and to grasp the main wires so as to prevent the reel from pulling the same forwardly during the backward movement of the feed-grippers, substantially as set forth.

7. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse stay-wi res are fastened to the longitudinal main wires, and the reel upon which the fence is wound, of longitndinally-movable feed-grippers which grasp the main wires during their forward movement and feed the same forward and which release the tnain wires during their backward movement, safety-grippers which move with the feedgrippers and which are constructed to grasp the main wires if the reel tends to putll the saine forward faster than the forward movement of the feed-grippers and to release the same while moving backwardly with the feedgrippers, and detent-grippers which are constructed to release the main wires during the forward movement of the feed-grippers and IOO IIO

to grasp the main wires so as to prevent the reel from pulling the same forwardly during the backward movement of the feed-grippers, substantially as set forth.

8. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse stay-wires are fastened to the longitudinal main wires, and the reel upon which `the fence is wound, of a longitudinally-movable carrier, feed-grippers mounted on said carrier and provided with rollers adapted to grasp the main wires during their forward movement and to release the same during their backward movement,safety-grippers arranged on said carrier and provided with gripping-rollers adapted to grasp or release the main wires, a movable shifting-bar provided with shifting-pins, a stop with which said bar engages at the end of the forward movement of the carrier and is shifted so that its pins move the rollers of the safety-grippers into an inoperative position, a catch whereby the shifting-bar is held in its releasing position, a tappet adapted to engage with said catch at the end of the backward movement of said carrier and release the shifting-bar, a spring whereby the shifting-bar is moved forward when released to permit the rollers of the safety-grippers to grasp the main wires, detent-grippers arranged on a stationary support and provided with gripper-rollers adapted to grasp or release the main wires, a shifting-bar provided with shifting-pins adapted to release the detent-gripper rollers from the main wires, a shifting-rod connected at one end with the detent-gripper-shifting bar and adapted to be engaged by said carrier at the end of the backward movement of the latter for shifting the same into an operative position, a catch which holds the detent-releasing bar in its operative position, a tappet adapted to engage the last-mentioned catch and disengage the same from the detent-shifting bar at the end of the forward movement of the carrier, and a spring whereby the detent-shifting bar is shifted into its inoperative position when released by said catch,sub stantially as set forth.

9. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse staywires are connected with the longitudinal main wires7 of a movable slide provided with grippers whereby the main wires are fed forwardly, two longitudinallyreciprocating carriages each of which is provided with adjustable stops adapted to engage against the front and rear sides of said slide, substantially as set forth.

l0. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby ther transverse stay-wires are connected with the longitudinal main wires, of a movable slide provided with grippers whereby the main wires are fed forwardly, two longitudinallyreciprocating carriages each of which is provided with a horizontal screw-rod passing through said slide, and screw-nuts arranged on each rod in front and in rear of the slide, substantially as set forth.

11. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse stay-wires are fastened to the longitudinal main wires, and the reel upon which the fence is wound, of a feed mechanism whereby the main wires are fed forward intermittently, and a friction-coupling whereby the reel is connected with the driving mechanism during the forward movement of the-feed mechanism and disconnected therefrom during the backward movement thereof, substantially as set forth.

l2. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse stay-wires are fastened to the longitudinal main wires, and the reel upon which the fence is wound, of a feed mechanism whereby the lnain wires are fed forward intermittently, a pair of coperating frictionwheels one of which is connected with the reel and the other with the driving mechanism, a rock-lever connected with one arm to one of the friction-wheels, and a cam which is connected with the driving mechanism and which rocks said lever for engaging said friction-wheels when the feed mechanism moves forwardly and releases said lever for disengaging the friction wheels when the feed mechanism moves backwardly, substantially as set forth.

13. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse stay-wires are fastened to the longitudinal main wires, of a feed mechanism whereby the main wires are fed intermittently past the fastening mechanism, and a feed mechanism whereby the stay-wires are fed across the main wires at the fastening devices, substantially as set forth.

14. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse stay-wires are fastened to the longitudinal main Wires, of a feed mechanism whereby the main wires are fed past the fasten'ing devices, a transversely-movable belt provided with a support and with adjustingscrews on the front and rear ends of the support, and a gripper arranged on said support between said screws, substantially as set forth.

l5. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with the fastening devices whereby the transverse stay-wires are fastened to the longitudinal main wires, of a feed mechanism which feeds the main wires past the fastening devices, a feed mechanism which feeds the stay-wires across the main wires, and a cutter mechanism which cuts off the lengths of stay-wires from the stock of Wire, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination with a pair of clamping-jaws which are adapted to hold two crossing fence-wires, of a die arranged in one of said jaws and adapted to hold a staple-shaped tie-wire over the crossing of said fence-wires,

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and a die arranged in the other jaw and provided with two curlingfaces which are adapted to engage with the ends of the tie-wire and curl the same around one of said wires on opposite sides of the other wire, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination with an upper and a lowerclamping-jaw which are adapted to hold two crossing fence-wires, of an upper die arranged in a recess in the upper jaw and provided with a recess which receives a staple shaped tie-wire and holds the same over the crossing fence-wires, and a lower die adapted to enter the recess of the upper die and provided with two curling-faces which are adapted to curl the ends of the tie-wire around one of said fence-wires on opposite sides of the other fence-wire, substantially as set forth.

18. rlhe combination with the upper and lower clamping-jaws which are adapted to hold two crossing fence-wires, and each of which is provided with a recess, of a cutter arranged in the side of the upper jaw and provided with an opening for the passage of the tie-wire into the recess of the upper jaw and provided with a cutting edge adjacent to the openingof said cutter, whereby upon depressing the upper die a tie-blank is cut from the stock of wire and the blank is bent downwardly over the crossing fence-wires and the depending ends of the blank are inclosed by the bifurcation of the upper die and the recess of the lower die, and a lower die which is adapted to move upwardly into the bifurcation of the upper die and the recess of the lower die and which is provided with two curling-faces adapted to engage with the ends of the tie-wire and curl the same around one of the fence-wires on opposite sides of the other fence-wire, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination with the mechanism for feeding` two fence-wires one across the other, of a twisting-disk provided with an axial opening through which one of said wires passes, and provided with a tangential groove which receives the otherfence-wire, whereby upon rotating said disk the wire in its groove is twisted around the wire in its axial opening, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination with the mechanism for feeding two fence-wires one across the other, of a twisting-disk provided with an aXial openingthrough which one of said fencewires passes, and provided with a tangential groove in its face, which receives the other fence-wire, a hollow telescopic shaft through which the first-mentioned wire passes and which has a front section carrying the twisting-disk and a rear section jou rnaled in a stationary bearing,a spline connecting said shaftsections, a guide-plate arranged in front of the twisting-disk and provided with a notch for the passage of said wires, and a spring whereby the twisting-disk is yieldingly held against the guide-plate, substantially as set forth.

21. The combination with the mechanism for feeding two fenoewires one across the other, of a twisting-disk mounted on a hollow shaft through which one of the fence-wires passes and provided with a tangential groove which receives the other fence-wire, a gearwheel provided with a pawl which engages with a shoulder ou said shaft and turns the latter forwardly but which permits the gearwheel to turn backwardly without the shaft, and a reciprocating gear-rack meshing with the gear-wheel, substantially as set forth.

22. rlhe combination with the mechanism for feeding two fence-wires one across the other,of a twisting-disk provided with an axial opening through which one of said fence-wires passes and provided with a tangential groove in its face which receives the other fencewire, a hollow telescopic shaft through which the lirst-mentioned wire passes and which has a front section carrying the twisting-disk and a rear section journaled in a stationary bearing, a spline connecting said shaft-sections, a guide-plate arranged in front of the twisting-disk and provided with a notch for the passage of said wires, a spring whereby the twisting-disk is yieldingly held in engagement with the guide-plate, a gear-wheel provided with a pawl which engages with a shoulder on said shaft upon moving the w-hcel forwardly, a gear-rack meshing with the gearwheel, and a detent-pawl engaging with a notch in a collar on said shaft, substantially as set forth.

23. The combination with the mechanism for feeding a transverse stay-wire and. a longitudinal main wire one across the other, of a tying device provided with upper and lower clamping-jaws adapted to grasp the crossing wires, transverse wire-guides arranged on opposite sides of lthe clamping-jaws and each guide provided with an upper guide -jaw which is normally arranged with its face below the face of the upper clamping-jaw, and a spring whereby the upper guide-jaw is yieldingly held in a depressed position, whereby upon feeding a wire through the guides and across the tying device and then closing the clamping-jaws the wire is first deflected upwardly between the wire-guides by the rise of the lower jaw and then the depressed parts of the wire on opposite sides of the tying device are drawn upwardly and raise the upper guide-jaws, thereby furnishing the stock from which to form a crimp in the transverse fencewire and permit the same to pass around the main wire, substantially as set forth.

24. The combination with the mechanism whereby a transverse stay-wire and a longitudin al main wire are fed one across the other, of a tying device provided with upper and lower clamping-jaws adapted to grasp the crossing wires, transverse wire guides arranged on opposite sides of the clam ping-jaws and each guide provided with an upper guidejaw, an upright rod arranged on each guidejaw and sliding in a support, aspring whereby the guide-jaw is yieldingly held in a depressed IOO IIO 

